Abigail S.~ (Just a random weird thing I came up with because I can't think of anything else. Also I did not make up the starfish story myself. It was something I saw on Pinterest.)

The square around her seemed like something you might see on a Christmas card. Large, delicate snowflakes fluttering ever-so-softly to the ground, warm yellow streetlights bathing everything in a soft glow, icicles hanging off buildings, old-fashioned automobiles humming as they drove down the red brick road. But, in the center of it all, something even more important lay waiting for her.

The soapbox was frozen solid, the writing on the sides rendered illegible by years of use. Abigail almost fell trying to get on it the first time. But, her mitten-clad hands held out for balance, she stepped onto the box and took a deep breath.

A few years earlier, she and some children from around town had started something they called The Soapbox Society. Who is better at getting people's attention than kids? They used the old soapbox to bring wisdom and light to the people who would listen. It had been a while since her last speech, but Abigail figured that now was as good of a time as any.

"Friends, neighbors!" she called, her voice shaky as she fought off the cold. "Listen to me, as I tell you a story."

A few people stopped to stare at her. "Once upon a time," she began. "There was a terrible, terrible storm. One particular beach was effected the most- for as far as the eye could see, starfish had been carried up onto the sand, where they could not move nor survive without water. Thousands, dead."

Some passerbys turned away, but she vowed not to lose her courage. "But, one woman stood among the creatures, picking up the sea stars one at a time and throwing them back into the water. A man walking by said, 'Why are you doing this? There is no possible way to save them all.'"

"The woman smiled and threw out another. 'But, I can save that one' she told the man."

"You see friends," she said, her breath visible in the frigid weather. "This is what Christmas is about. This is how we have to live our lives. Even if it's a smile in the street, or a donation of one dollar to a charity, it's better than nothing. It does make a difference. And if we all lived like the woman in the story, our world would be a wonderful place to live in."

Now, people were looking at her. A few of them began to clap, and then cheers erupted from the crowd. She stepped off the soapbox. With a warm feeling of pride in her chest, she tucked her auburn curls under her hat and began to walk toward home.

Walking out of the square, she noticed several things. One man was assiting an old shopkeeper in scattering salt on the icy sidewalk out front. Three young girls helped each other string Christmas lights from lampost to lampost, softly singing Christmas carols the whole time. A boy handed out free hot chocolate, and a few women swept snow off the streets. Abigail smiled. Like the woman in the parable, she was making a difference- one person (or starfish) at a time. 

Would someone please do me?

I'm really sorry, these are taking a long time. Also, can you guys keep this thread topped for me? I don't know when I'll be back after tomorrow. Thanks!

Nebula~

Many dragons stormed through the land, causing a path of destruction and leaving terror in their wake. Nebula, on the other hand, was different. Instead of harming everything she touched, she healed it.

Her gold and red wings were as graceful as a mermaid's tail, but as powerful as a gryphon. Her topaz-colored scales deflected arrows like armor as she flew through the night sky, but she did not fight back. People thought she was dangerous, and she couldn't blame them- almost all of her brothers and sisters chose to use fire for horrible things. The humans were only trying to save their own lives.

Nebula flew over the forest, where she spotted her clearing and landed. Letting out a growl, she began her transformation.

As a human, she had hair the same color as her wings- bright, apple red. Her skin was very tan, and her eyes stayed the same coppery shade of brown. Nebula sighed. Another dragon attack had happened a little bit ago, and she was one of the only people in the area with healing magic. If only they knew about her shape-shifting abilities. If only they knew that a dragon like herself could actually be good at heart.

She ran as fast as she could to the scene of the attack. One small boy, with four large gashes across his face, lay dead in the middle of it all. Looking at her own hands, which had been claws mere minutes ago, would've been a perfect fit for the boy's wounds. She shook her head. There were people that needed saving, and she was the only one who could do that.

"Help... here..." a voice croaked, erupting into a fit of dry coughs. She turned and saw a middle aged woman in dented armor, with cuts and bruises all over her body. She was missing an arm. Nebula hurried over to her side, where she rubbed her hands together to create friction. Then, a burst of blue fire appeared in her hand, flickering over her palms but not burning her.

She waved her hands over the woman, and instantly, all her wounds were healed. "Thank... you..." she wheezed, and Nebula nodded. She still had many people to save. 

As she went around, healing every man, woman, and child who could be healed, she thought, Dragons are not all bad. Someday, I will make them see. 

May I have a picturing as well? These are all so wonderfully written!

I'd love one from any of you! 

I'll do Kate, September, and Ashlee after I finish the animation frame I'm working on.

Okay, I did not think I'd be feeling better this quickly. Thanks for keeping it topped, guys!

Leeli~ (I'm sorry if I messed up anything about the Wingfeather Saga. I used wikipedia XD)

Rain turned the dirt into wet, sloshy mud outside, and the wind blew so hard it had caused Leeli's power to go out. She sat curled out in the chair, with a honey-scented candle illuminating the pages of her book, The Wingfeather Saga. She'd read it so many times she'd lost count. Even though Leeli would like to be spending her Saturday outside with her pets, the rain was a blessing, too- it gave her time to rest, and come up with ideas for her current novel, The Five Doors.

She absentmindedly fingered with a strand of long, sandy hair as she came to an intense part of the book. Leeli knew what was going to happen, but still, she read on with apprehension. Her stomach rumbled. She realized she had forgotten to eat breakfast that morning, so she went into the kitchen to see what she could fix without a stove. Sandwich, cereal, or maybe just candy...

There was a scratching sound on her front door. Leeli jerked her head up. What was that? she wondered. Hopefully nothing dangerous. Maybe she had been reading too many scary stories lately...

She cautiously walked over to the front door, preparing herself for anything. With a deep breath, she clicked open the lock, and pushed open the door.

Outside of her house, drenched, and covered in mud, stood...

A puppy!

Leeli smiled, and knelt down to look at it more closely. He was white with brown patches, but very, very dirty, and his ambery-brown eyes reminded her of her own. The animal didn't seem to have rabies or any other disease, so Leeli picked him up and took her to the kitchen. There, she began to rub the dog up and down with a towel to dry him off.

"What're you doing out in this weather, little one?" Leeli noticed that the puppy did not have a collar. She could feel his ribs poking through his skin, and many cuts and scratches in his soft fur. "I'm afraid I can't get you cleaned up until the power comes back on. But I can get you something to eat!"

Leeli went to the cupboard, where she kept her pets' food. She took out two bowls and filled them with food and water, which the puppy gobbled up quickly. Leeli laughed. "I think I'll call you Janner, after The Wingfeather Saga. You and me, we're a team!"

Janner yipped in agreement. What a perfect way to spend a rainy day, Leeli thought. 

Here's the order I'm working on them in (sorry that they're taking so long!) Also, I might not be posting as much around Christmas. Thank you everyone for being so patient!

1. Gared 

2. Autumn Leaves

3. Owlgirl

4. Ember

5. Bookbug

6. Dandelion

7. Cockleburr

8. Applejaguar

9. Ashlee 

10. Kate the Great

11. September

Danie and Dragonrider, you didn't ask for them, but would you like picturings? I'd be happy to do them.

Please tell me if I forgot about you. 

Here's the order I'm working on them in (sorry that they're taking so long!) Also, I might not be posting as much around Christmas. Thank you everyone for being so patient!

1. Gared 

2. Autumn Leaves

3. Owlgirl

4. Ember

5. Bookbug

6. Dandelion

7. Cockleburr

8. Applejaguar

9. Ashlee 

10. Kate the Great

11. September

Danie and Dragonrider, you didn't ask for them, but would you like picturings? I'd be happy to do them.

Please tell me if I forgot about you.